A slight beginning, trace, indication, or manifestation of something.

figurative and in figurative contexts.

figurative. A trace, suggestion, or tinge of something. Also without article, or with adjective. Hence, the special, indefinable, or subtle…

Character, type; a characteristic quality, esp. a slight admixture of such a quality; a hint, trace, or tinge of something.

figurative. ‘A stroke, a touch’ (Johnson), specimen, ‘taste’. esp. a cast of one's office.

A foreshadowing; = adumbration, n. 3.

A slight indication or intimation of something. Cf. cast, n. 9. Obsolete. rare.

A subtle indication or sign.

A slight trace or symptom. Obsolete. rare.

figurative. Flavour, savour.

figurative. A trace or hint of something which seems to emanate from or accompany a person or thing. Cf. sense 6d.